This book explores the journey toward becoming a more integrated and whole person by examining the relationship between the body, soul, and spirit. It begins by addressing the “divided self” and then explores how the psyche, including the will, intellect, and emotions, can become aligned and directed toward healthy and purposeful living.
The book also examines the role of the body, including the management of desires and the practice of caring for oneself, before turning to the spirit and the importance of abiding, resilience, and stabilizing spiritual practices. Later chapters focus on bringing these areas together, resolving inner conflict, and developing healthier relationships through boundaries, forgiveness, repair, and community.
The final section emphasizes endurance, wholeness, and continued personal transformation. Through integrated rhythms and a “rule of life,” the book encourages readers to develop practices that keep the body, soul, and spirit working together. Overall, it presents alignment as an ongoing process of growth, restoration, and becoming whole, particularly when facing hardship and relational challenges.
Part I: Orientation
Chapter 1 The Divided Self
Part II: The Psyche/Soul: Directional Thinking
Chapter 2 The Soul (Psyche): The Seat of Alignment
Chapter 3 The Will Choosing Alignment
Chapter 4 The Intellect: Renewing the Mind
Chapter 5 The Emotions: Feeling Without Being Led
Part III: The Body: Directional Living
Chapter 6 The Body: Stewarding the Temple
Chapter 7 Disordered Desires: What the Flesh Wants, the Body Practices
Part IV: The Spirit: Directional Abiding
Chapter 8 The Spirit: Directional Abiding and Resilience
Chapter 9 Abiding Practices That Stabilize the Spirit
Part V: Integration and Inner Conflict
Chapter 10 Integration and Inner Conflict: Uniting the Heart
Part VI: Relational Alignment: Directional Restoration
Chapter 11 Living Aligned in Relationship: Directional Restoration
Chapter 12 Boundaries and Barriers: Invitations, Access, and Protection
Chapter 13 Forgiveness and Repair: Releasing Debt Without Losing Wisdom
Chapter 14 Community as Formation: Practicing Alignment Together
Part VII: Endurance and Wholeness: Directional Endurance
Chapter 15 Endurance as Worship: Alignment Practices for Hardship
Chapter 16 Integrated Rhythms: Keeping Body, Soul, and Spirit in Step
Chapter 17 Becoming Whole: A Rule of Life for Continued Metanoia
Michael B.
Blue
M. Brandon Blue, MA, LPCC, NCC, is a licensed professional clinical counselor, counselor educator, ministry leader, and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Liberty University. He serves as Director of New Life Institute and brings together clinical counseling, Christian theology, existential psychology, narrative identity, and spiritual formation in his work with individuals, couples, churches, and ministry leaders.
A Navy veteran and ordained ministry leader, Blue writes from the intersection of lived experience, clinical practice, and theological reflection. His work emphasizes whole-person formation, helping readers understand the relationship between body, soul, and spirit as they pursue alignment, integration, relational restoration, and continued growth in Christ. Aligned: Living Whole: Body, Soul and Spirit reflects his passion for equipping students, counselors, pastors, and believers with a practical framework for living faithfully and intentionally in every area of life.